What a joy to read the words of clear thinkers! I have been a lazy thinker for many years now, but I am encouraged in myself... :)
You know, I was reluctant to start this thread. I did not know if it was right to question the core beliefs from which people derive their identity and comfort. But I was disturbed by the immediacy and the prevalence (demonstrated in the "ask God" thread), of the chosen people element of religion--the we vs. them. We being destined and good, they being destined and evil. I was disturbed and sickened by the valid justifications that were being spun from this idiotic axiom.
Look at Indian religions; look at islamic religions; look at Mormonism; look everywhere. Many bibles were written (copied), strictly to counter and to replace the chosen peoples front-running of another religion (with their own chosen peoples defense). This religious battle for preference, autonomy, racial identity and nationalism is similar in some ways to the arms race between countries: at root it is a power struggle. In many ways, these bibles are not about God, but about politics. Given the unyielding and unforgiving nature of chosen people systems, this self defense was perhaps necessary to preserve culture and identity. But my thoughts are these: in this shrinking world where physical borders are being eradicated, and where humans are increasingly resting their survival upon a commonality of interests...is it not time that the chosen people crap be dropped, and that humankind unite under a common banner of mutual interests? Or will people of this world mentality one day be fighting a war of independence from say, Mars! :)
(obviously, it can't simply be dropped. But can it be eroded and modified in small stages...and where to begin?) |
